Construction employment increased in 245 out of 358 metro areas between March 2017 and March 2018, declined in 67 and stagnated in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the new figures come amid questions about how a possible trade war and long-term infrastructure funding shortfalls will impact the construction sector. 
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas added the most construction jobs during the past year (10,700 jobs, 5 percent), followed by Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (9,500 jobs, 9 percent); Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (7,800 jobs, 6 percent) and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (7,200 jobs, 8 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in the Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio metro area (29 percent, 400 jobs), followed by Merced, Calif. (26 percent, 600 jobs); Wenatchee, Wash. (26 percent, 600 jobs) and Midland, Texas (23 percent, 6,000 jobs).
The largest job losses from March 2017 to March 2018 were in Baton Rouge, La. (-3,200 jobs, -6 percent), followed by Columbia, S.C. (-2,200 jobs, -11 percent); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wisc., (-1,700 jobs, -2 percent); Newark, N.J.-Pa. (-1,700 jobs, -4 percent) and Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, Pa. (-1,600 jobs, -3 percent). The largest percentage decreases for the year were in Auburn-Opelika, Ala. (-34 percent, -1,300 jobs), followed by Monroe, Mich. (-17 percent, -400 jobs); Portland-South Portland, Maine (-11 percent, -1,000 jobs) and Columbia, S.C. (-11 percent, -2,200 jobs).
Association officials said that trade disputes that could arise from the President’s newly-imposed tariffs and long-term infrastructure funding shortfalls could threaten future construction employment growth. They noted that many construction firms have already experienced significant increases in what they pay for steel products. Meanwhile, long-term funding shortfalls for infrastructure improvements could undermine demand for many firms’ services.